Legislature Votes to Put Water Quality Act on November Ballot
By Matt Meduri
In what has been a years-long process, temporarily halted by deliberations last summer, the Suffolk County Legislature has finally moved to put the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act on the November ballot as a proposition.
Studies have been conducted on Suffolk County’s precarious wastewater system and natural environment. Nitrogen levels, algal blooms, brown and red tides, agriculture and aquaculture, and landmark tourist attractions delicately coalesce around reaching sound wastewater solutions, with a dangerous cocktail on deck if not properly addressed.
Wastewater infrastructures are currently funded by a quarter-percent sales tax in Suffolk County, colloquially known as the “quarter-percent fund.” Last summer, the Legislature was presented with a plan to institute a one-eighth-percent sales tax on top of the existing quarter-percent fund to guarantee wastewater funding through 2060. Since the County Legislature cannot levy sales taxes, the initiative had to be passed in the state legislature and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D). The Governor made the trip to Captree Island last month to sign the bill, allowing the Legislature to vote to put the referendum in front of voters this fall.
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Kassay Wins AD-04 Democratic Primary, Will Face Flood in November
By Matt Meduri
One of New York’s most competitive state legislative races, if not the most competitive, gained a bit more clarity after Tuesday night.
Village of Port Jefferson Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) defeated Skyler Johnson (D-Port Jefferson Station) by a wide margin of 64%-36%. Kassay, twice elected as a Trustee for Port Jefferson Village, is making her first bid for state office.
Johnson ran as a Democrat against Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) for the First Senate District in 2022. Palumbo defeated Johnson by just under thirteen points.
Kassay is hoping to parlay her experience in local government and the Three Village community to defeat freshman Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station).
Flood famously defeated veteran Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) in 2022. Englebright, a geologist and Chair of the powerful Environmental Conservation Committee, was denied a thirtieth year in Albany by Flood after serving since a special election in 1992. Englebright previously served in the Suffolk County Legislature from 1982 until his election to the Assembly. In 2023, he was elected to return to the Legislature in the Fifth Legislative District.
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The County Seal in Riverhead
Assemblyman Ed Flood (Credit - NYS Assembly)
A Walk Towards Grace Monthly Bereavement Series
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Continued from front cover
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Kassay Wins AD-04 Democratic Primary, Will Face Flood in November
The Fourth Assembly District combines staunchly Democratic territory with working-class neighborhoods that have raced to the right in the last few cycles. It stretches from the east with portions of Middle Island, Gordon Heights, and Coram, tracks north to grab parts of Centereach and Selden, and ends in the north taking in Terryville, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, East Setauket, Stony Brook, Strongs Neck, and the villages of Belle Terre, Old Field, Port Jefferson, and Poquott.
The district is truly a halfand-half representation of the Suffolk County electorate, with the more liberal-minded college town politics taking root in the north shore and Three Village area, with more conservative precincts in the working-class neighborhoods stretching southeast.
In 2020, nearly all north shore precincts backed Joe Biden (D-DE), with the exception of Belle Terre. Donald Trump (R-FL) handily won Terryville and parts surrounding the bluer parts of Coram and Gordon Heights.
In 2022, Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) carried many of the immediate precincts just outside the core Three Village area. In addition to holding Belle Terre, Zeldin won all but two precincts bordering the 347 corridor, while Trump only won some parts of Port Jefferson Station and Terryville. Zeldin also managed to carry nearly all of the CoramGordon Heights-Middle Island area, with just a few downtown Coram precincts backing Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
Flood narrowly defeated Thomas Wiermann in the 2022 Republican primary before ousting Englebright 1.4 percentage points, a margin of about 700 votes out of nearly 48,000 ballots cast.
Englebright had been re-elected to his final term in 2020 by eleven points over Michael Ross (R).
Kassay has received endorsements from Englebright, Assemblywoman Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca), Brookhaven Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), Port Jefferson Village Trustees Stan Loucks and Bob Juliano, and former Trustee Bruce Miller. She also earned the endorsements of Eleanor’s Legacy, an organization committed to electing pro-choice Democratic women across New York, the 3.14 Action Network, an organization focused on electing Democrats with scientific backgrounds, and Run for Something, an organization concerned with electing young, progressive Democrats. Kassay and her husband converted their Victorian home into the Fox and Owl Inn bed and breakfast. Kassay serves as the inn’s proprietor.
Avlon Wins NY-01 Primary, Will Face LaLota in November
Former CNN anchor John Avlon (D-Gramercy Park) easily dispatched former Stony Brook professor Nancy Goroff (D-Stony Brook) in Tuesday’s primary. With 95%
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of precincts reporting, Avlon garnered 70.3% of the vote to Goroff’s 29.7%. Goroff ran for NY-01 against Congressman Zeldin in 2020 and lost by ten points, even as Suffolk County was nearly evenly divided between Trump and Biden.
“A huge night and a massive victory in the #NY01 primary - 70-30 - thank you to every member of our team who helped make this happen,” Avlon wrote from his personal account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We proved the positive defeats negative & the politics of addition defeats the politics of division. That will be the key to victory in the fall - LFG!”
“Thank you Long Island for proving that the substantive, grassroots, positive politics beats negative fear mongering every time,” the Team Avlon campaign account wrote on X.
Avlon was joined at his watch party by Suffolk Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station) and former Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mt. Sinai). Anker is running against Senator Palumbo in November’s election for New York’s First Senate District.
Avlon now faces Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) in November. NY-01 became slightly more Republican after mid-decade redistricting after Democrats sued to overturn the remedial map enacted in 2021. The remedial map was put in place after the state legislature drew a map that was deemed an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander by the New York Court of Appeals.
“With primaries behind us, our common sense conservative campaign feels confident about our race against CNN commentator and Manhattan elitist John Avlon,” said LaLota in a statement. “We start the general election campaign on the right side of the issues that matter most, especially border and economy. The wind is in our campaign sails: We’re up double digits in the polls, with more than three times cash on hand, and over 1,000 fired-up volunteers. After re-redistricting, this is a district that President Trump won by 1.8 points in 2020 and 9.8 points in 2016. Avlon has taken extreme leftist positions on CNN and as a NYC resident who takes a tax break only NYC residents can take, he doesn’t understand Suffolk County. Avlon can’t stop himself from saying “IN” Long Island and takes more donations from Manhattanites than Suffolk residents. As a lifelong Long Islander, I’m proud to represent the communities I grew up in and fight for them daily. In my first term, I’ve secured over $150 million in federal funding and reached across the aisle to improve our way of life. While the CNN commentator spends his time at ritzy Hamptons parties, I meet with hardworking Long Islanders and deliver results. I look forward to continuing my bipartisan fight for the people of Suffolk County and earning their vote once again this November.”
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Avlon (podium) celebrates his victory with former Legislator Anker (left of Avlon) and Legislator Sanin (right of Avlon) (Credit - X @johnavlon)
Comptroller Kennedy is Pleased to Announce Continuous Recruitment for Accountant &
Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R-Nesconset) is happy to announce that the Accountant Trainee, Accountant, Auditor Trainee, and Auditor civil service exams have been converted into continuous recruitment training and experience examinations. Candidates can now apply for these four exams at any time!
The minimum qualification for the Accountant Trainee and Auditor Trainee positions is graduation from a college with federally authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Bachelor’s Degree, which includes, or is supplemented by, at least twenty-four (24) credits in Accounting.
The Accountant and Auditor titles require the same education mentioned above, as well as two (2) years of experience as an accountant or auditor. Please note, that graduate level education and/or possession of a NYS Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license can substitute for one (1) or two (2) years of experience.
Details can be found at the Suffolk County Civil Service Exam e-Filing website: https://apps2.suffolkcountyny.gov/civilservice/efile/ default.aspx
If interested, you may submit an online application to the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service. Jobseekers who meet the minimum qualifications will receive a rating based on an evaluation of their training and experience against the background of the duties of the position. These approved candidates will remain eligible for appointment for a maximum of one (1) year. Suffolk County employment offers stability, room to grow and excellent benefits. For more information, please see: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Civil-Service
Comptroller Kennedy commented, “Converting these four titles into continuous recruitment is a terrific accomplishment that will assist all Suffolk County Departments in talent
acquisition on a much timelier basis. I would like to thank my dedicated staff, as well as our Suffolk County Personnel Officer, Thomas Melito, and his exceptional team for their diligence in seeing this significant endeavor through to fruition. I thank County Executive Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches) for his strong support of the operations of the Department of Audit and Control.”
Senator Murray Advocates for ‘Nick’s Law’ to Combat Hit-and-Run Accidents in New York State
By Cait Crudden
State Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) (pictured right) held a poignant press conference at the Hagerman Fire Department, calling for urgent legislative action to pass “Nick’s Law,” a proposed measure aimed at toughening penalties for drivers involved in hit-and-run accidents across New York State.
The press conference, attended by local officials including State Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R-Sayville), and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow), other community leaders including Assistant District Attorney Maureen McCormick, and advocates for traffic safety, underscored the pressing need for legislative reforms to ensure justice for victims and their families. “Nick’s Law,” named in memory of Nicholas Puzio, a twenty-five-year-old pedestrian tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident last year when he was hit by not one but two vehicles that left the scene, seeks to impose stricter penalties on drivers who flee the scene of such accidents.
since their son’s untimely death, their support for “Nick’s Law” and the hope that no parent would have to go through a tragedy like this in the future stating a law like this “can save lives”. “Two drivers made reckless choices and left my son dying in the street. Who does that? Does anyone have regard for human life?” said Terry Puzio, Nick’s mother. “The laws in New York are far too lenient. Unfortunately, the current punishment doesn’t seem to deter the crime”.
Residents and community members expressed strong support for “Nick’s Law” and Senator Murray’s efforts to champion traffic safety. Senator Murray’s proposal is a crucial step towards ensuring accountability and protecting vulnerable road users.
Co-sponsors of the bill in the Assembly are Assemblyman Ed Flood (pictured right) and Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook).
“Everyone should feel safe on the road, whether you are behind the wheel or simply crossing the street,” said Flood. “People need to be human beings to one another. Unfortunately, Nick was hit by two separate drivers. Had either one of them simply just stopped and did what the law abides and did what just simply humanity abides we might not be here today”.
“When someone is hurt at the scene of an accident, every moment counts in helping to save a life,” said Assemblyman Smith in a statement.
Senator Murray concluded the press conference by calling on his legislative colleagues to prioritize “Nick’s Law” when they are called back to session and urging residents to contact their representatives to voice their support.
Senator Murray, a staunch advocate for traffic safety and the author of “Nick’s Law,” delivered an impassioned speech highlighting the devastating impact of hit-and-run accidents on families and communities.
“It’s clear that people are afraid of getting in additional trouble for being drunk, impaired or just plain reckless, so they flee the scene, thinking they are somehow escaping serious consequences. By passing Nick’s Law, we will hopefully change that line of thinking,” remarked Senator Murray.
The proposed legislation increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident that results in serious injury or death, including longer periods of driver’s license suspension, hefty fines, and imprisonment. Senator Murray emphasized that the current penalties do not adequately reflect the severity of these crimes or deter future incidents. Murray held a similar press conference last summer hoping for the bill to be made law in the 2024 legislative session, but Albany did not pick it up this year.
Joining Senator Murray at the press conference were Christopher Hlavaty’s parents, a young man who just weeks ago passed away in a similar incident and was a volunteer firefighter with the Hageman Fire Department. They shared their heartbreaking journey
“There is little doubt that the state legislature will be called back to Albany in the coming weeks or months to address some unfinished business. We are calling on Legislative Leaders to make Nick’s Law a part of that unfinished business,” said Murray.
As “Nick’s Law” gains momentum in the New York State Legislature, the focus remains on ensuring justice for victims of hit-and-run accidents and implementing measures that enhance traffic safety statewide. Senator Dean Murray’s unwavering commitment to advancing this critical legislation signals a promising step forward in protecting the well-being and rights of all New Yorkers.
Assemblyman Flood Champions Child Safety in Potential Social Media Legislation
By Cait Crudden
In a heartwarming display of civic engagement and youth empowerment, Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station) recently concluded his “Ought to be a Law” contest at Terryville Elementary School, celebrating fifth-grade student Avery Parker as the winner for her innovative idea aimed at enhancing child safety on social media platforms.
The contest, which encourages young minds to propose legislative ideas that could benefit their communities, saw a record number of entries this year. Among them, Avery Parker’s proposal stood out for its relevance and potential impact. Her idea focused on implementing stricter privacy settings and enhanced parental controls on social media sites to protect children from online predators, bullying and inappropriate content.
Assemblyman Flood, known for his advocacy on children’s issues, was deeply impressed by Avery’s proposal.
“What an inspiring morning at the ‘Ought to be a Law ‘ceremony. Huge congratulations to Avery Parker for winning with her innovative law proposal,” stated Assemblyman Flood. “Kudos to Superintendent Joe Coniglione, teacher Ms. Reduto, Principal Annemarie Sciove, and Terryville Elementary School in the Comsewogue School District for nurturing such incredible talent! A big round of applause to Avery’s parents, Farah and Sean Parker, for their endless support and guidance”.
The “Ought to be a Law” contest not only serves as a platform for young students to voice their ideas but also fosters an understanding of the legislative process. Participants like Avery undergo a journey from conceptualizing their proposals to presenting them in front of their peers and local officials, gaining valuable insights into how laws are made and the impact they can have.
Principal Sciove praised the initiative for its educational value and community impact. Superintendent Coniglione beamed with smiles throughout the ceremony. These educators were so proud to showcase the talent of their young students and encouraged them to speak up and voice their opinions as their views matter within their community too.
The presentation culminated in a heartfelt proclamation given by Assemblyman Flood honoring fifth-grade student Avery Parker for her winning proposal aimed at improving safety in local communities. This contest not only encouraged creative thinking but also taught the students about the legislative process and the impact they can have on their communities. Its educational value and its role in nurturing civic responsibility among students was highlighted as well. The ceremony, attended by Avery’s classmates, teachers, her parents, and Assemblyman Flood, underscored the importance of engaging youth in matters of public policy.
As Avery Parker’s proposal moves forward for consideration in the legislative process, the spotlight remains on her and other young participants who continue to demonstrate creativity, empathy, and a deep understanding of community needs. The “Ought to be a Law” contest serves as a beacon of hope for fostering future leaders and ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping a brighter future for Terryville Elementary and beyond.
Assemblyman Ed Flood’s dedication to engaging youth in local governance through initiatives like the “Ought to be a Law” contest reaffirms his commitment to fostering civic engagement and empowering the next generation of leaders in New York State. Assemblyman Flood remarked “Let’s continue to foster creativity and empower our youth to make a difference”.
Pictures credit: Cait Crudden
Avlon Wins NY-01 Primary, Dispatches an Actual Suffolk Resident
John Avlon (D-Gramercy Park) defeated former Stony Brook professor Nancy Goroff (D-Stony Brook) in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary for New York’s First Congressional District. While we’re thrilled that someone of the politics of Nancy Goroff won’t be representing NY-01 in Congress next year, we’re not entirely sure the alternative is that much better.
On top of working as a talking head for CNN, a news agency that has fallen from its former prestige in a satisfyingly spectacular way, Avlon seems to think that simply owning a home in Suffolk County makes him a full-time resident.
As per an exclusive report done by The Messenger, New York City tax documents show that Avlon’s condo at 149 E 19 Street in Manhattan is part of the condo/co-op tax abatement program, one for which landlords can only qualify if tenants are primary residents.
Avlon was also observed by The Messenger entering and leaving his apartment over the course of several days. Vanity Fair also wrote in an April 1 interview with Avlon that he and his wife, Margaret Hoover, bought their Sag Harbor home in 2017, but that Avlon did not live there full-time until just February.
“Avlon and Hoover bought the Sag Harbor pad in 2017 as a second home, after renting it during their vacations; Avlon moved there full time in February, and the rest of the family plans to join him after the school year,” wrote Vanity Fair.
So, it seems like we have yet another carpetbagger on our hands this year for NY-01. We’re sorry if you don’t think Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) was a viable candidate for your vote this year, but the Democratic Party has done you a disservice by insisting on pathologically fielding candidates to stop returning to the threadbare bench of chronic underperformers. Goroff underperformed the national environment massively in 2020, losing to Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) by just under ten points.
Goroff is also an awkward campaigner, and some constituents felt her television advertisements were too robotic, as was the problem in 2020. However, to Goroff’s credit, she and her campaign knew Avlon is a carpetbagger, and explored that path to victory on television ads and even in their last week discussion with The Messenger. The campaign asserted that while Avlon was busy in Manhattan, Goroff was working in Suffolk County.
We can’t be more ideologically opposed to Goroff, but we can at least give
A Tale of Two Newsdays
We were flipping through some archives here at The Messenger and found something interesting: Newsday dedicated nearly their entire front cover to John Avlon (D-Gramercy Park) in their June 26, 2024 edition after his primary win on Tuesday, but relegated nowCongressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) to just a tiny part of the spine on their August 24, 2022 cover after his own primary win.
Wouldn’t a paper that finds a particularly large chunk of their base in Suffolk County be interested in at least giving LaLota part of the front cover, or a picture at least? We find it odd that Avlon is celebrated with so much fanfare, as so much Manhattan money and deep Democratic pockets carpetbagged their way into Suffolk to avoid another primary nightmare with chronic underperformer Nancy Goroff (D-Stony Brook) assuming the Democratic ticket a second time.
Avlon’s Manhattan residency and ties also seem to have gone undetected - or unentertained - by Newsday, a part of the weekly news cycle that The Messenger is proud to have exclusively picked up.
But this isn’t partisan. LaLota easily dispatched Maryland carpetbagger and cryptocurrency queen Michelle Bond (R) in 2022 - FOILs and exclusive coverage also brought to you by The Messenger. Wouldn’t Newsday have been interested in that? Wouldn’t that have been a cover-worthy story? It certainly was for us. In fact, LaLota had the entire cover of our papers for our August 25 edition that year.
her the bare minimum in that she actually lives and works in Suffolk County, and that she at least knows how to run good negative advertisements against her opponent.
But for those who might be disillusioned by the Democrats’ priorities this year: Did Congressman LaLota bring back over $150 million in federal funding to Suffolk County for Brookhaven National Laboratory, Port Jefferson Harbor dredging and infrastructure, Fisher’s Island and Gabreski Airports, Smithtown stormwater infrastructure, and Stony Brook University, to name a few?
Did Congressman LaLota join bipartisan ranks to increase access to over-the-counter contraceptives, fight the national scourge of fentanyl and xylazine, maintain and protect the Long Island Sound, promote national security with a defense bill, protect and fund Veterans’ homes and benefits, and promote aviation security, to name a few?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any and/or all of the above benefits Suffolk County has received after just a year-and-a-half of LaLota’s tenure - and ‘yes’ is the objectively correct answers to all - then you probably find yourself with an effective representative who truly knows what’s important to Suffolk County residents. We’re not confident in Avlon’s ability to effectively represent the residents of NY-01. He seems to be in it just to combat national political headwinds and be another Democratic pawn on the chessboard of the House of Representatives, rather than be a working member of a cohesive, bipartisan (ideally) environment.
Furthermore, Goroff and Avlon have both called LaLota a “MAGA extremist” or “Trump sycophant,” or insults along those lines. LaLota has objectively stayed away from hot-button talking points and has not hugged the Trump campaign closely. Not that this is necessarily a make-or-break for Republican voters. It shouldn’t be; LaLota is doing his job, not kowtowing to any political movement.
Detractors like the now-suspended George Santos (R-Queens) called LaLota a RINO (Republican In Name Only).
As we’ve said before, LaLota can’t be both a “MAGA extremist” and a “RINO” simultaneously. We’re inclined to believe he’s neither. We’re sympathetic towards our Democratic friends that Suffolk money and Suffolk roots were not prioritized by party leadership in their nominating contest this year.
Furthermore, NY-01 is a Republican-leaning district, and with the anticipated GOP-friendly year of 2022 - although it left much to be desired outside of New York and Florida - LaLota had the edge all along, according to all political pundits, Suffolk County’s geopolitical landscape, and conventional wisdom. Why not put someone who’s likely to be the next Congressman on the cover of your publication?
This is where we feel Newsday has fallen off, and as this campaign takes off, we can be sure of two things: Newsday will continue to drop the ball this year and The Messenger seems to have a knack for exclusively exposing offIsland carpetbaggers who seek to cash in on the political influence that comes with NY-01.
(Left) Newsday’s Wednesday, August 24, 2022 front cover
(Above) Newsday’s Wednesday, June 26 front cover
Save Our Suburbs (SOS): Governor Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Delay Misses the Mark
By Congressman Nick LaLota
Governor Hochul’s (D) decision to delay the controversial congestion pricing plan under the guise of lingering COVID-19 concerns is a blatant political maneuver aimed at preserving electoral gains rather than addressing the real needs of New Yorkers. The pandemic ended years ago and using it as an excuse for this delay is disingenuous. The true reason is the upcoming election.
Framing this decision as a response to COVID-19 is a smokescreen that ignores pressing issues affecting New Yorkers. Suggesting that more businesses in New York City be taxed as a consolation for delaying the congestion pricing plan will only exacerbate the challenges of people and businesses returning to the city. If this continues, it won’t just be individuals fleeing the city, but businesses en masse as well.
Long Islanders, who would bear billions of dollars in additional costs annually under the congestion pricing scheme, have long seen this plan for what it is: an opportunistic revenue grab that disproportionately impacts suburban communities. Governor Hochul’s recognition of this opposition underscores the political risk associated with the plan.
Historically, we Long Islanders have been vigilant in holding Albany politicians accountable for anti-suburban policies. At the ballot box in 2010, the backlash against the MTA payroll tax was significant, and in 2022, Long Islanders again expressed their discontent with the disastrous “Bail Reform” policies that compromised public safety and affordability. These instances reflect a consistent pattern of suburban voters rejecting policies that undermine our quality of life.
New Yorkers are not hesitant to return to the city because of the virus; they are hesitant because of rampant crime, blatantly ignored under Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams (D). For the second year in a row, overall crime has been on the rise, including a historic surge in assaults, which neared 28,000 for the first time in New York City’s publicly recorded history. Instances of people being shoved in front of moving trains and active shooters are becoming more
frequent. According to a recent Columbia study, there has been an 84% increase in the rate of complaints to the NYPD Transit Bureau per rider, including a 99% increase in the rate of complaints for assault and a 125% increase in the rate of complaints for harassment.
Rather than simply delaying the congestion pricing plan, Governor Hochul and the Democrat majorities in our state legislature should abandon it altogether. The focus should shift towards policies that enhance public safety and reduce the cost of living for working families. Implementing an unpopular and ineffective congestion pricing plan will only impose additional financial burdens on businesses and consumers while ignoring the critical issue of public safety.
Governor Hochul needs to address the real problems driving people away from New York City and act immediately on those issues. New York families deserve honest and effective leadership that will tackle crime and rising costs head-on, creating a safe, thriving environment for all. The time for politically motivated decisions is over; it’s time for genuine commitment to the welfare and safety of New Yorkers.
While the delay in congestion pricing is a step in the right direction, it falls short of addressing the fundamental flaws in the policy.
Abandoning the plan entirely would be a more prudent course of action, reflecting a commitment to the wellbeing of all New Yorkers, particularly those in suburban communities. The path forward should prioritize safety and affordability, ensuring that policies are designed with the best interests of all residents in mind.
Congressman Nick LaLota is a lifelong Long Islander and has represented New York’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since 2023.
Equity Grading: Grade Inflation Dressed Up in Woke Clothing
By Lance Izumi
As standardized student test scores plunge, some school districts are responding by masking student knowledge deficiencies through equity grading, which is little more than grade inflation dressed up in woke clothing.
There is little doubt that student learning across the country is at a dire level.
On the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, 69% of students taking the eighth grade reading test failed to achieve at the proficient level, while 73% of eighth graders failed to score at the proficient mark on the math exam.
As their students are failing, school districts in California, New York, and other states are implementing equity grading, which eliminates penalties for late assignments, allows students to retake exams, and removes misbehavior as a grading factor.
Further, “zeroes” for failing to turn in homework and not taking tests are banned and, instead, students are given 50% scores.
Proponents of these changes justify them in the name of equity, which emphasizes the same outcomes for all students, regardless of merit-based factors such as punctuality and effort.
Education consultant and former teacher Joe Feldman, a top equity-grading advocate, claims, “Many traditional grading policies that seem innocuous on the surface can reinforce existing disparities, rewarding students who already have more resources and punishing students who come to the classroom with fewer resources.”
Feldman points to a California school district that implemented equity grading and saw the number of D and F grades fall by almost a third.
However, that result is not evidence of increased student achievement. The reason that fewer low grades are given under equity-grading practices is because of simple grade inflation, not because students are learning more and performing better.
Even more troubling than equity grading’s mechanical inflation of grades is its misreading of student psychology.
When Janessa Tamayo, a New York City high school math teacher, switched to equity grading practices, fewer students did their homework. Also, fewer students participated in class, and many stopped taking tests seriously.
She said: “Grading for equity works fine for the small percentage of kids who are highly motivated. For the rest, it encouraged them to do the minimum.”
Students themselves are often frustrated by equity-grading practices.
One California student said that teachers in his high school “offer retakes on tests, to the point where you could just flunk a first test and you don’t have to study and then you could keep retaking it, and it’s all in the name of equity.”
Ill-prepared students who are not pushed to pursue perfection and avoid mistakes are being set up for failure in the job market.
According to a college math instructor in California, “When you’re a software engineer you really have to drive towards perfection because every mistake that you make will show at some point and cost the company, so you’re under a lot of stress to be perfect.”
Unfortunately, “if you have an education system that is not encouraging that,” and instead the system easily forgives mistakes, students will collide with reality in high tech because “that is not the way Silicon Valley works.”
Rather than lowering grading standards, schools should implement higher grading practices that push students to try harder, which will lead to more learning. Despite its socialjustice pretensions, equity grading is just another example of the soft bigotry of low expectations.
Lance Izumi is senior director of the Center for Education at the Pacific Research Institute and the author of the forthcoming book The Great Classroom Collapse: Teachers, Students, and Parents Expose the Collapse of Learning in America’s Schools. This piece first appeared in the Atlanta JournalConstitution.
Breeze Airways Announces Service from Islip MacArthur to Fort Myers
By Matt Meduri
One of the nation’s newest low-cost airlines has been expanding across the map in its quest to provide optimal, convenient service it classifies on a scale of “nice.” Created by JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman in 2021, Breeze Airways looks to serve smaller, less-frequently-traveled routes, connecting largescale airports with smaller regional ones.
Breeze has found a vocal and enthusiastic partner in the Town of Islip, whose MacArthur Airport (ISP) serves as a hub for local businesses, as well as travelers looking to avoid the congestion and possible difficulties of commuting to the New York City airports.
and total success centered around providing efficient and affordable flights to highly desirable destinations like Long Island and Fort Myers.”
Breeze Airways boasts direct service from ISP to Portland, Maine, Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia, Raleigh, North Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, Vero Beach, Florida, and connections using its “Breeze-through” service to Jacksonville, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
At a Tuesday press conference outside the baggage claims carousels, Breeze, Islip Town, and New York State officials gathered to announce a new destination for Islip travelers: Fort Myers, Florida, beginning October 2.
“We know why it’s great to live here [on Long Island] and having this airport is one of those reasons, but we need to get people outside to know that this is a great, great destination,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) (pictured right). “Our customers and this community make it very clear what they want, need, and will support: additional year-round flight options as they may travel more conveniently from ISP, their hometown airport.”
Carpenter said that the purposes of ISP are broad: residents looking to conveniently travel out of state for important life events, such as weddings, residents who have second homes, primarily in Florida, workers taking business trips, and residents looking for a “quick change of scenery or some sunshine in the winter.”
“We’re here to help accomplish that,” said Carpenter, with comments echoed by ISP Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken, who thanked ISP staff and travelers of Long Island who “make this airport successful.”
“It takes our amazing customers and our amazing community of Long Island to keep returning back here and use the services,” said LaRose-Arken.
Jim Smith (pictured left), co-founder of Breeze Airways and Vice President of Corporate Real Estate and Airport Development, opened his remarks by asking the crowd: “Who wants to go to Fort Myers?”
Smith thanked Supervisor Carpenter, Commissioner LaRose-Arken (pictured below), and Deputy Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider for their “passion” and “endless and tireless hard work for all that they do for this community and this airport.”
“If we can get everybody to start using this airport locally, there will just be more and more flights, more and more destinations, and better things to come. So I’m excited about that,” said Smith. “We will launch this [Fort Myers] service with our brand new state-of-the-art aircraft, A220 airplanes that have all the technology that anyone could ever hope for. And airfare is as low as $89 if you purchase your tickets before July 1.”
Fort Myers service will begin seasonal service from October 2 through January 7.
“Coupled with the elevated experience featuring premium seating options and high speed Wi-Fi on our entire fleet of brand new Airbus A220, Breeze is defining what it means to be seriously ‘nice’ in an industry that all too often is not,” added Smith. “We just celebrated our third birthday at Breeze Airways last month, and it has been a complete
Councilman John Lorenzo (R-West Sayville) (pictured right) whose Council District encompasses most of MacArthur Airport also delivered remarks.
“Breeze is flying directly to Fort Myers, one of my favorite places. I want to thank Breeze for coming here today. I want to thank all the staff and the help and what they’ve done here,” said Lorenzo. “The more we get out of the airport direct flights, the more we will use it here.”
Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) (pictured below left), whose Senate District includes ISP, thanked the involved parties for their efforts in expanding Islip’s reach across the country.
“This has been my home for my whole entire life and I’m proud that it’s entirely within my Senate district,” said Weik. “Anytime our airport grows, that’s a good day here in Islip. I want to thank Breeze for investing in our community and hearing our voices to say we want to go to Fort Myers.”
Supervisor Carpenter added that if any resident has a suggestion to either Breeze Airways or the Airport for a future destination to let the appropriate parties know, as “they do listen.”
Carpenter also said that people beyond Islip are coming to realize that ISP is now their hometown airport too, as the airport sees regular travelers from Nassau County, eastern Queens, and across Suffolk’s towns.
Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) (pictured right), who represents Smithtown and Huntington Townships, enthusiastically thanked the Islip Town Board, ISP, and Breeze Airways for their continued investments in Long Island.
“I’ve been coming to this airport for a long, long time, and I know all of my Smithtown and Huntington residents are going to be happy that they can have a direct flight and enjoy themselves without traveling into the city,” said Mattera. He added that his mother, a resident of Fort Myers, was ecstatic to learn of a direct Fort Myers-to-Islip route and that she can avoid JFK when coming back to Long Island.
Most Breeze flights are about an hour to two hours long and start as low as $39, one-way. Breeze imposes no change or cancellation fees through the carrier and travelers can change or cancel their flights up to fifteen minutes prior to departure.
While Breeze only sells non-refundable tickets, cancellations or changes result in credits for the full price of the ticket, including any additional purchased items, such as checked bags or seat upgrades.
Breeze also offers two-seat aisles with leather seats, allowing travelers to avoid the often-irritating middle seat and enjoy a comfortable flight.
Also in attendance at Tuesday’s press conference were Islip Town Clerk Linda Vavricka (R-West Islip), Islip Tax Receiver Andy Wittman (R-Sayville), and Councilman Mike McElwee (R-West Islip).
by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14), Ilhan Omar (D, MN05), Ayanna Pressley (D, MA-07), and Rashida Tlaib (D, MI12). Later additions include Bowman, as well as Cori Bush (D, MO-01), Greg Casar (D, TX-35), Summer Lee (D, PA-12), and Delia Ramirez (D, IL-03).
Bowman’s primary loss is the first suffered for the Squad, as well as for House Democrats in general this year. With 93% of precincts reporting, Latimer defeated Bowman 58.4% to 41.6%. Latimer had hefty leads in the polls leading up to the primary.
Squad members are now on notice, as Latimer’s resounding defeat of Bowman takes on progressive politics in a staunchly liberal bastion of the country. Congressman Woman Bush has been trailing Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County Wesley Bell in two polls conducted. A February poll showed Bell with a twenty-two point lead, and a poll from last week shows him a one-point lead.
Bush, like Bowman, ousted a more entrenched member of the House, William Lacy Clay (D) in 2020. She attempted to primary Clay in 2018, but lost by twenty points. Bush was successful in 2020, ousting Clay by just three points. Bush defeated Anthony Rogers (R) with almost 80% of the vote in 2020, followed by 72% of the vote over Andrew Jones (R) in 2022.
Bowman has not released a statement on his defeat as of Wednesday night. On June 13, he posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, decrying AIPAC’s donations to Latimer’s campaign, saying it was a race of “many vs. the money.”
Latimer is virtually guaranteed to represent the district in Congress due to its deep-blue character. He faces Miriam
Boebert received the endorsement of Donald Trump (R-FL) and, with a wide field of candidates, split the votes to win the nomination. She faces Trisha Calvarese, who narrowly won the Democratic Primary on Tuesday. CO-04 is the entire eastern third of Colorado, sharing the border with Kansas. The most Republican district in the state, CO-04 is home to flat farmlands and working-class voters. Boebert’s controversial positions and personality might make this race more engaged as the campaign continues.
With Boebert’s win in CO-04, Republicans have a better shot at holding CO-03, an idiosyncratic district that encompasses the western part of the state. Once more Republican, the district has become home to mountainous mining communities, union blue-collar households, a hefty Hispanic population, and liberal ski resorts, creating a competitive environment in the last several cycles. Bobert primaried Congressman Scott Tipton (R) in 2020, leading to a tight win that year and one of the closest House races in 2022.
In Utah, mainstream Governor Spencer Cox (R) fended off a primary challenge from more populist Phil Lyman. Utah voters also selected Congressman John Curtis (R, UT03) to replace outgoing Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT). Curtis, seen as the more mainstream candidate, defeated Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, the Trump-endorsed candidate. Curtis is highly likely to be the next U.S. Senator from ruby-red Utah. He faces Caroline Gleich (D) in November.
In presidential news, a recent Embold Research poll of 1,450 likely Rhode Island voters found President Joe Biden (D-DE) with just a seven-point lead over Donald Trump, with
Voters across party lines support her decisions to temporarily suspend the congestion pricing plan - 45%23%, with 16% neutral. Voters also think the state legislature should have passed the Plastics Reduction Act - 58%-31% in favor - and the Heat Act - 58%-26%.
The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.1%, meaning Trump is gradually coming closer to polling within the margin of error against Biden.
Local
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) has signed on as a cosponsor of the bicameral Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act, introduced by Congressman Ashley Hinson (R, IA-02).
The bill would enable women to access FDA-approved, routine-use birth control pills over the counter, require the FDA to give priority review to already-approved oral contraceptives for over-the-counter access, and require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the amount of federal funding that has gone towards supporting increased contraception access over the last fifteen years.
“Women across America deserve access to quality contraceptives. Ensuring access to contraceptives over-thecounter at the neighborhood pharmacy is common sense and good policy,” said LaLota. “This bill would remove birth control from excessive government regulations and bureaucratic red tape and erase barriers to access for millions of women. Contraceptives should be legal, safe, effective, and widely available for American families.”
Continued from front cover
Legislature Votes to Put Water Quality Act on November Ballot
Last summer, the Legislature voted to recess the measure as many in the horseshoe did not feel comfortable with the allocations, with 75% of projected revenues going to Innovative Alternative Wastewater (I/A) Systems, 10% going to administrative fees, and the remaining 15% possibly going to sewers, although the word “sewer” was conspicuously absent from the text.
With the new administration of County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and members of the Legislature, a new proposal, I.R. 1461, which stipulates a 50-50 split between sewers and I/A systems, was formed as the compromise solution.
The Legislature voted to put the measure on the ballot at their Tuesday general meeting in Riverhead. The bill will enter another public portion before receiving a signature from County Executive Romaine.
Residents and stakeholders spoke before the vote during the public portion.
to our public health, and to our local economy, so I’m very proud to support this measure,” said Sanin.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport) (pictured left) said that while she voted against last year’s resolution, she is “confident that this amended version” will accomplish the goals of wastewater solutions across the county. She also spoke of the current surplus relative to continuous revenue streams over the years.
“My main concern is that the one-eighth-percent sales tax is nowhere near enough [to fund wastewater solutions in Suffolk County],” said Steven Green. “From what I have read, it’s not taking into account the volume of water. While I understand the treatment of septic systems and sewers are very important, and I agree with that, we’re neglecting to add to the discussion how to deal with the sheer amount of water being put into the ground, which I think is equally as important as the water quality restoration.”
Kevin McDonald, Conservation Project Director for Public Lands with the Nature Conservancy, spoke on behalf of his organization, as well as Save the Sound, the Peconic Baykeeper, and the Seatuck Environmentalist Association.
“Like many things that are worth doing, sometimes it isn’t easy. We all agree that 1461 should be passed at your swiftest opportunity,” said McDonald. “It’s so well documented, there are other places in the country now looking at how we came to this place and how they can replicate this solution.”
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, spoke in support of I.R. 1461.
“We appreciate the thoughtful discussion, the input, and working collaboratively together to come up with a plan that really will change the direction of Suffolk County’s future, environment, and water resources,” said Esposito. “This is a nation-leading plan that is based on sound science and good common sense. We like to say good science and good common sense yield good policy, and that’s exactly what we have before us today.”
The Legislators then stated their positions and reasonings before the vote.
Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) (pictured right), a vocal critic of previous administrations’ misappropriations of wastewater funds, expressed his opposition to the bill’s fiscal implications, but remains supportive of wastewater solutions.
“A couple years back in 2020, we [Suffolk County government] drained the Clean Water Fund for $200 million,” said Trotta. To this day, we haven’t paid the $200 million back. Combining this with the quarter cent sales tax, which doesn’t expire for seven years and giving the public figures like a billion dollars for clean water is very disingenuous.”
Trotta said that if the Legislature had the prerogative to raise taxes, it would be a “very different vote,” as constituents would likely be displeased at higher taxes imposed by the Legislature. Trotta said he is “disappointed” in the new [Romaine] administration and his colleagues for not “saving and scratching money together, even though we have almost a billion dollars in surplus.”
“We keep talking about the billion dollars we have in reserves. We need a continuous revenue stream for this big long-term project that we have,” said Bontempi. “So, we cannot be depleting our reserves. We need those for lawsuits. The county has several lawsuits pending and we need it for a rainy day.”
The lawsuits to which Bontempi referred are lawsuits the County faces for misappropriating funds from previous voter-approved sales tax referenda designated for wastewater solutions.
Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) (pictured right) said that despite some disagreements in the horseshoe, he can defend his colleagues in that they all have “respect for the environment.” Caracappa also said that revenue streams will be further padded by increased tourism funds from beaches and parks, a direct byproduct of wastewater solutions that keep the waterways open during the peak season.
“We had $6 billion in revenues from tourism on Long Island last year,” said Caracappa, adding that the Water Quality Act will see many county residents “contributing to our environment, protection, economic development, and creating more opportunities here in Suffolk County.”
Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) thanked Executive Romaine for making parts of Babylon and western Islip priority areas in sewering.
Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) said that he voted to recess the measure last year and took the time to “worry about the tax base and what’s right for our county and environment.” He added that I.R. 1461 is the “right approach.”
Legislator Ann Welker (D-Southampton) used an anecdote about Mill Pond in Water Mill that previous generations in her family would enjoy for swimming and recreation. She said her support from the bill comes, in part, from the fact that the water quality in the pond has “degraded” beyond its classical uses.
Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) (pictured left) has long agreed with Trotta’s sentiments on raising taxes, saying that many of her constituents cannot afford groceries, prescriptions, and other necessities. She also took issue with the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, which showed her and Legislator Trotta as absent at the Budget and Finance Committee meeting during which I.R. 1461 was discussed. She stated that she and Trotta stated their reasons for voting against the bill and that they were, in fact, present.
Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) spoke in support of the measure, but said that he shares “some concerns” with Kennedy and Trotta. He said that while the bill is not “perfect,” it is “appropriate.”
“We’re really working against time when we’re talking about the contamination of our sole-source of drinking water,” said Englebright. “I think we can go before our public and we can say we’re in a process, not an event, and the process is one of making adjustments as needs present themselves. Right now, part of the need is to do some catching up on investment into sewers. But in the long term, I think we need to rebalance in five years to make it more congruent with the percentage of the problem and the application of the dollars.”
Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station) said that Suffolk County needs a “dedicated funding source to eliminate these polluting wastewater systems now” and that the best way to do so is by putting I.R. 1461 on the ballot for voters to choose.
Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) reaffirmed his support for the bill and echoed his spearheading of the recently-publicized inaugural Fire Island sewer study.
“20 to 30% of the nitrogen problem in the Great South Bay is coming from Fire Island,” said Flotteron. “Fire Island is, besides our backyard, is our health, our bay, tourism, the tax base, and all those different businesses. We have to deal with some real problems.”
Flotteron added that conversations are in place for funding for sumps, road runoff, stream flow, and drain water recharging, as per concerns from colleagues on capital budgeting.
Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) thanked the scientists, the County Health Department, the Water Quality Department, and the economic development team for their work on the resolution over the past fifteen years.
Legislator Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches) (pictured right) said that many differing viewpoints on the legislation is “perspective,” adding that his district, which encompasses Mastic Beach Shirley, the Moriches, and Brookhaven hamlet, is one of the lowest lying communities in Suffolk County and is no stranger to storms and high tides.
“From a taxpayer point of view, people know that this is important. They understand that they have bills to pay, but they prioritize,” said Mazzarella. “I believe this is a priority for folks, and that’s why I’m proud to support it.”
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) (pictured below left) closed the comments before the vote.
“This is a small price to pay for the immense benefits it will bring to our water quality,
“Different areas may need sewers and other areas may need advanced wastewater systems. I think we dug in when we needed to and took the slings and the arrows along with many of my colleagues here,” said McCaffrey. “I think at the end of the day, we walked away in a better place than we did before. For us, our children, our grandchildren, we are going to look back and say that we made a difference here.”
The bill passed in a 15-2 vote, with Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) absent. Legislators Trotta and Kennedy were the only votes against the resolution. Legislators Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Welker, Caracappa, Englebright, Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), and Richberg voted to cosponsor the legislation.
I.R. 1461 now enters another period of public portion before heading to Executive Romaine’s desk for his signature.
By Cait Crudden
Congressman LaLota Proposes Bipartisan Bill to Combat Fentanyl and Xylazine Crisis
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) has introduced a groundbreaking bipartisan bill alongside Congressman Lou Correa (D, CA-46) aimed at equipping law enforcement agencies nationwide with enhanced tools and resources to combat the growing menace of fentanyl and xylazine.
The proposed legislation comes at a critical juncture as communities across the United States grapple with a surge in overdose deaths linked to these potent synthetic opioids. Fentanyl has emerged as a significant public health concern due to its alarming potency and role in exacerbating the opioid epidemic.
In a press release, Congressman LaLota underscored the urgent need for a coordinated federal response to tackle the proliferation of these dangerous substances.
“Illicit narcotics such as fentanyl and xylazine have hurt communities across this country, including at home on Long Island. We must give law enforcement every tool needed to keep our communities safe while enhancing public awareness about these substances’ effects,” said LaLota. “I am proud to partner with Congressman Correa on the bipartisan DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act to help our law enforcement agencies better combat these substances that have claimed too many lives and left countless families in despair. I am committed to ending this public health pandemic and fighting to make sure every ounce of these narcotics is off our streets and out of our communities”.
Congressman Correa, co-sponsor of the bill and a vocal advocate for comprehensive drug policy reform, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the initiative.
“Illegal drug smugglers have made it their mission to poison our neighborhood with illicit drugs by evading detection whenever, and wherever, they can. Those tasked with protecting our homeland should have the best technology available to find the smallest amounts of fentanyl possible to protect those we represent and keep our streets safe,” remarked Correa in a statement. “By allowing law enforcement to research and develop new, cutting-edge technologies to better detect fentanyl and other drugs, we will better keep our communities safe”.
Key provisions of the bill include creating a new statutory responsibility for the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) at the Department of Homeland Security to carry out research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug detection equipment and reference libraries used by Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Establishing three focus areas with flexibility to adopt other focuses in the future including portable detection equipment that requires minimal handling of sample, equipment that can separate complex mixtures with low concentrations of drugs and high concentrations of cutting agents into parts to enable detection and technologies that use AI and machine learning to predict whether a substance is a controlled substance analog or other new psychoactive substance not yet included in a reference library. As well as a state and territory report on enduring and emerging threats in establishing priorities.
The bill has garnered broad support from law enforcement organizations, addiction treatment providers, and public health advocates who have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of synthetic opioids on individuals and families.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, Congressman LaLota and Congressman Correa have called for bipartisan cooperation and public engagement to ensure its swift passage. They urge constituents and stakeholders to voice their support and contribute to shaping effective policies that mitigate the impact of synthetic opioids on communities nationwide and the ability to better identify when these substances are used.
LaLota’s bipartisan initiative with Congressman Correa marks a significant milestone in the fight against fentanyl and xylazine misuse and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to safeguard public health and safety. With strong bipartisan backing and community support, the proposed legislation holds promise for bringing about meaningful change in combating the opioid crisis gripping the United States.
Suffolk County Radio Club Strengthens Emergency Preparedness with Semi-Annual Radio Contact Event
By Cait Crudden
The Suffolk County Radio Club recently convened for its semi-annual event aimed at enhancing emergency communication capabilities in the event of a natural or intentional disaster. Held at the Wardenclyffe Lab in Shoreham, this gathering of amateur radio enthusiasts demonstrated their commitment to community resilience through radio contact exercises with operators across the country.
The Wardenclyffe Lab is the last extant laboratory of renowned scientist Nikola Tesla.
The event drew participants from across Suffolk County and beyond, all eager to showcase their skills in radio communication and emergency response. Amidst rows of radio equipment and antennas, members of the club engaged in simulated scenarios where traditional communication infrastructure, such as cell towers and internet services, had been compromised or rendered inaccessible.
Rich Martino, an Air Force Veteran with thirty years of service and now with the New York Guard State Defense Force stated, “This demonstrates our ability to communicate with other hand radios throughout the country”. He stated that the military runs similar exercises to demonstrate high frequency capabilities, but it is more mission-oriented versus a hobby.
Throughout the day, club members utilized various high frequencies and modes of communication to establish contact with fellow operators in different states, testing their ability to relay messages and coordinate response efforts across distances. These exercises are designed to simulate real-world scenarios where effective communication can be a matter of life and death.
The semi-annual event also served as a platform for education and outreach, welcoming curious visitors to observe demonstrations and learn about the role of amateur radio in emergency preparedness. Emergency management underscores the importance of collaboration between amateur radio operators and professional responders during crises.
“This is our semi-annual event to enlighten and to do emergency
communications,” remarked Suffolk County Radio Club President Richard Geraci. “It’s a contest to get as many contacts as we can within a 24-hour time period”. These preparations are necessary if there was a natural or intentional disaster.
As participants engaged in radio contact throughout the day and night for a 24-hour period, exchanging call signs, signal reports, and information about their locations, the camaraderie among operators was palpable. Many expressed a sense of fulfillment in using their technical skills for the greater good of their communities.
Looking ahead, the Suffolk County Radio Club plans to continue hosting events for disaster preparedness to further strengthen their capabilities and expand their network of operators. They encourage residents interested in emergency preparedness and amateur radio to explore joining the club or obtaining a license to operate radios. Rich Martino also relayed that in September there is an Empire State Challenge with military communications experts throughout the state doing similar exercises.
The Suffolk County Radio Club’s semi-annual event not only showcased the technical prowess and dedication of amateur radio operators but also highlighted their critical role in safeguarding community resilience during emergencies. Through ongoing training, collaboration, and public outreach, these enthusiasts remain at the forefront of ensuring reliable communication when it matters most.
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Bellport High School U.S. Government Students Tour Ellis Island
Bellport High School U.S. History & Government classes recently enjoyed a trip to New York City to tour Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Students were in awe as they entered the same facility where millions of immigrants were vetted and registered before entering the United States to become an integral part of our nation’s history. Following the historical tours, the students visited the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square for lunch. Many students reflected on this trip as a memorable close to the 2023-2024 school year.
Centereach HS Choirs Strike Gold at Music in the Parks
Centereach High School’s musical talents shone brightly as the Select Vocal Ensemble, Men’s Choir, and Women’s Choir claimed top honors at the recent Music in the Park competition held at Busch Gardens.
In an impressive display of vocal prowess and dedication, Centereach High School’s Men’s Choir and Women’s Choir shined bright, each earning a score of Excellent and securing first place in their respective divisions. The Select Vocal Ensemble, a beacon of musical excellence, received a score of Superior and clinched first place in the Mixed Chorus Division, earning the prestigious title of Best Overall Choir.
The accolades did not stop there. Centereach High School’s music program celebrated individual achievements as well. Adam Piotrowski was recognized as the Best Student Accompanist, showcasing his exceptional musical talent and dedication to his craft. Tatiana Arezzo, with her outstanding vocal performance, was awarded the title of Outstanding Vocalist, further highlighting the depth of talent within the school’s choir program.
The success at the Music in the Parks competition is a testament to the exceptional talent and commitment of Centereach High School’s choir program. Under the guidance of dedicated instructors and with unwavering support from the school community, Centereach High School continues to nurture and showcase the musical talents of its students.
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
Rocky Point Students Present At Brookhaven National Laboratory Symposium
Rocky Point Middle School sixth grade students participated in the Brookhaven National Laboratory Open Space Stewardship Program Symposium on May 30. Rocky Point Middle School has been a part of this initiative with the GATES program for the past 17 years. Dr. Melvyn Morris, a manager of special programs in BNL’s Office of Educational Programs, introduced the program to the school in collaboration with science teacher Audra Mammina, who has been the teacher mentor since its inception.
This year, 22 students – Blake Barth, Kristopher Citarella, Grayson Ernst, Sofia Fedurina, Lucas Finamore, Collin Fishman, Carter Ford, JP Harris, Salvatore Lasurdo, Gianna Malvetti, Jayden Marciano, Grace Moriarty, Jacob Mulhare, Connor Neligon, Kristopher Ocasio, Shane Piccolo, Meridith Schmidt, Enza Troise, Giulietta Troise, Jackson Wright, Mina Zapata, and Jack Zipfel – met for 15 sessions, learning and conducting field investigations under the guidance of Dr. Amanda Horn, an educational programs administrator at BNL. The students worked with Dr. Horn to create the poster presentation which they presented at the symposium. Rocky Point’s students were the youngest presenters of the students representing the 16 schools and 38 projects
showcased. Students presented their research to BNL staff, high school students and educators from the participating districts, and adult visitors to the symposium. The students also interacted with the other student researchers and scientists. They engaged in conversations encompassing science disciplines such as DNA barcoding, atmospheric
studies and ecological sustainability.
“Rocky Point Middle School parents who attended the event were impressed by their children’s accomplishments and how well they were able to express themselves,” said Jachan Watkis, Rocky Point’s math, science and technology director.
Sachem Students
Celebrate ‘Old Glory’
Wenonah Elementary School third graders put on a patriotic performance for Flag Day on June 14. Students paraded into the cafeteria with American flags in hand as they were welcomed by their families. Classes took turns stepping on stage to share the history of the flag, the meaning behind the Pledge of Allegiance and the rules of properly displaying the flag.
Flag Day in Bayport-Blue Point
In honor of Flag Day, schools across the Bayport-Blue Point School District held impactful assemblies and took part in patriotic activities.
At Blue Point Elementary, students lined the school’s front walkway, waving American flags as Girl Scout junior troop 1277 recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Bayport-Blue Point fire department displayed an American flag high on their firetruck in front of the building, and Principal Tara Falasco sang the national anthem before students headed inside for a special assembly.
Once inside, fifth graders performed a skit titled, “The Recipe for the American Flag.” Essay contest winners from each grade were called up to the podium to read their essays on what the flag means to them. Students also competed in a Flag Day poster competition and the winners were met with applause as their posters were unveiled during the assembly.
The orchestra played, “America the Beautiful,” while the band performed, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The fourth and fifth grade choruses sang “Blue and Red and White” and the third-grade chorus performed, “All American Me and You.” To round out the assembly, speech-language pathologist and assembly organizer Ms. Monahan read her favorite book to students, “The Flag We Love,” by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
At Sylvan Avenue Elementary, the AMVETS of Post 111 in Patchogue raised the American flag as students watched in awe. Then, led by pilot John Biano, the Bayport Aerodrome spectacularly flew five airplanes over the school. To end their ceremony, third, fourth and fifth grade choruses performed patriotic songs as all of the students waved their flags.
Three Village Graduate Headed to Military
The Three Village Central School District Board of Education held a special graduation ceremony during its June 12 meeting for Ward Melville High School student Emilia Retzlaff. Retzlaff is unable to make Ward Melville’s traditional graduation ceremony on June 30 as she prepares to go to the United States Naval Academy.
The board of education, administration and Retzlaff’s family stood as “Pomp and Circumstance” played in the William F. Connors Jr. Memorial Board of Education Meeting Room. Retzlaff proceeded to the podium where Ward Melville High School Acting Principal Dr. Paul Gold said a few words about her athletic and academic accomplishments.
“I think that not only are you lucky to be on this trajectory to the Naval Academy but even more importantly, I think that you embody everything that they would look for in a candidate and I am so proud of you,” said Dr. Gold. Additionally, Board of Education President Susan Rosenzweig and Setauket resident and Navy Commander Jim Roth congratulated Retzlaff. Retzlaff was presented with her diploma and designated as a graduate of Ward Melville High School.
The Necessary Standard for American Education
The Presidential Cabinet and Line of Succession
By Matt Meduri
The Presidential Cabinet is the primary advisory board to the President. Each Cabinet member chairs their respective departments, with their backgrounds and expertise usually critical to their assumption of these roles. The Cabinet also functions as the Presidential Line of Succession. We will examine each role of the Cabinet in order of Presidential succession.
Selection and Confirmation of Cabinet Members
The President will determine his nominee for a Cabinet position, usually from a shortlist of candidates. The final nominee will be interviewed by the Senate, which results in a confirmation or rejection. Nominees traditionally required a three-fifths vote of the Senate to end filibusters until the 113th Congress (2013-2015). Democrats in control of the Senate at the time invoked the “nuclear option,” requiring only a simple majority to confirm a nominee.
The last Cabinet nominee to be rejected by the Senate was John Tower in 1989. Nominated by President George H.W. Bush (R-TX) for Secretary of Defense, Tower was investigated for claims of drunkenness and ties to defense contractors. He was rejected in a 47-53 vote of a Democratic Senate.
Vice President - Kamala Harris (D-CA)
The Vice President, in addition to the Chief of Staff, are two Cabinet positions not confirmed by the Senate. The Vice President runs on the ticket with the President and serves as Presiding Officer of the Senate. The Vice President casts tiebreaking votes in the Senate when necessary. Although mostly uncommon, this was prevalent from 2021 to 2023, when the Senate was divided 50-50 between both parties after the 2020 elections.
Speaker of the House - Mike Johnson (R, LA-04)
Although not a member of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the House serves as third-in-line for Presidential succession. Speakers are not required to be sitting members of the House of Representatives, nor does a Speaker have to be of the majority party.
President pro tempore of the SenatePatty Murray (D-WA)
The president pro tempore of the Senate is a constitutionally-mandated position, unlike the Senate Majority Leader. As such, it is third in line for the presidency. The President “pro temp” is tasked with presiding over the Senate when the Vice President is absent, although the officeholder cannot cast tie-breaking votes. The Senate is required to select a pro temp. Since 1890, the position is usually reserved for the most senior member of the Senate, typically of the majority party, although this is not an obligation.
Secretary of State - Anthony Blinken (D)
The Secretary of State, first held by Thomas Jefferson, is charged with representing the U.S. to foreign countries and enforcing the President’s foreign policies, including Foreign Services, Civil Service, and U.S. Agency for International Development. Secretary Blinken was confirmed by the Senate in January 2021 in a 78-22 vote. Blinked has previously served in the Clinton (D-AR) administration and as Deputy Secretary of State under President Obama (D-IL).
Secretary of the Treasury - Janet Yellen (D)
The Secretary of the Treasury is the chief financial officer of the federal government. The Secretary serves as the principal financial advisor to the President and matters of fiscal and economic policy. Janet Yellen, the first woman to hold the position, was confirmed in January 2021 in an 84-15 Senate vote. Yellen served as Chair of the Federal Reserve for parts of Obama’s and Trump’s (R-NY) terms.
Secretary of Defense - Lloyd Austin (I)
The Secretary of Defense is the head of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Secretary’s position of command over the military is second only to that of the President. U.S. law states that the Secretary cannot have served as an active-duty commissioned officer in the military in the preceding seven years of secretaryship. The Secretary exercises command and control of operational and administrative purposes of all branches of
the military. Lloyd Austin was confirmed in a 93-2 Senate vote in January 2021. He has served in several positions in the Obama administration.
Attorney General - Merrick Garland (I)
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.
The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government, serves as the President’s principal legal counsel, represents the federal government’s legal interests, and oversees the Department of Justice. Merrick Garland was confirmed in a 7030 Senate vote in March 2021. Garland was nominated by President Obama in 2016 to fill a vacant Supreme Court seat after the death of Antonin Scalia. Due to Obama’s lame-duck status, the Republican Senate did not hold a hearing for his nomination. His nomination lasted 293 days, the longest to date.
Secretary of the Interior - Deb Haaland (D)
The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for management and conservation of federal land and natural resources. The Secretary leads agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the National Park Services. Interestingly, only one Interior Secretary since 1949 - Rogers Morton - did not hail from a state west of the Mississippi River. Deb Haaland was confirmed in a 51-40 Senate vote, with nine abstentions, in March 2021. She previously represented NM03 in Congress and is the former Chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party.
Secretary of Agriculture - Tom Vilsack (D)
The Secretary of Agriculture leads the federal government in agricultural research with regards to biomedical tenets of human nutrition, health, and disease, as well as the extension of food and agricultural sciences. The Agriculture Department contains the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Food and Safety Inspection Service, and the Food Stamp Program. Vilsack previously served as Governor of Iowa before Secretary of Agriculture under Obama from 2009 to 2017. He was confirmed in February 2021 in a 92-7 Senate vote. He is currently the second-longest serving Secretary of Agriculture.
Secretary of Commerce - Gina Raimondo (D)
The Secretary of Commerce is responsible for promoting American business and industries, as well as “foster, promote, and develop foreign and domestic commerce,” according to the department’s mission statement. Gina Raimondo was confirmed in March 2021 in an 84-15 Senate vote. Raimondo previously served as Governor of Rhode Island.
Secretary of Labor - Julie Su (D)
The Secretary of Labor enforces and suggests laws with respect to labor unions, the general workplace, and other issues of business-person matters. The Department of Labor and Commerce were, until 1913, one department. Julie Su previously served as Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency under Governor Gavin Newsom (D).
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)Xavier Becerra (D)
The Secretary of HHS is the principal presidential advisor on all health matters. The HHS has legal authority to respond to and prepare for public health and medical emergencies under the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the Social Security Act. Xavier Becerra previously served in the U.S. House from California and as California Attorney General. Becerra was confirmed in March 2021 in a tight 50-49 vote. The vote was completely party-line, with just Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) as the only Republican to vote to confirm him.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Adrianne Todman (D)
The HUD Secretary is responsible for increasing home ownership, supporting community development, and
increasing access to affordable housing. Todman was confirmed in a unanimous voice vote in June 2021.
Secretary of Transportation - Pete Buttigieg (D)
The Transportation Secretary is the principal presidential advisor on all matters transportations and infrastructure. The Department oversees 55,000 employees and thirteen agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pete Buttigieg was confirmed in February 2021 in an 86-13 vote. He previously served as the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020.
Secretary of Energy - Jennifer Granholm (D)
The Energy Secretary is tasked with overseeing the development of technology for better and more efficient energy sources and energy education. Originally charged with energy production and regulation, the Department’s responsibilities shifted to radioactive waste disposal and maintenance of environmental quality after the Cold War. Jennifer Granholm was confirmed in a 64-35 Senate vote in February 2021. Granholm previously served as the Governor of Michigan.
Secretary of Education - Miguel Cardona (D)
The Education Secretary serves as the principal advisor to the president and the federal government on policies and programs relating to U.S. education. Miguel Cardona was confirmed in a 64-33 Senate vote in March 2021. Cardona previously served as Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Denis McDonough (D)
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is concerned with Veterans’ benefits, health care, and national Veterans’ memories and cemeteries. The Department administers benefits programs to Veterans, their families, and their survivors. Benefits include pensions, education, home loans, life insurance, medical care, burial benefits, survivor support, disability compensation, and vocational rehabilitation. Denis McDonough was confirmed in February 2021 Senate vote of 87-7, with six abstentions. McDonough previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor and White House Chief of Staff under President Obama.
Secretary of Homeland SecurityAlejandro Mayorkas (D)
The last in line for presidential succession and the most recently-created position, the Secretary of Homeland Security is charged with managing border security, immigration and customs enforcement, antiterrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security, and emergency responses. The Department was created following the September 11 attacks. Alejandro Mayorkas was confirmed in a February 2021 Senate vote of 56-43. He previously served in the department under Obama. In February 2024, Mayorkas was impeached by the U.S. House over dissatisfaction with his handling of the immigration and border enforcement. He is the second Cabinet member to be impeached, after Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached in 1876. The Senate deemed the impeachment charges unconstitutional in April 2024.
Brookhaven Matters
Thursday, June 27, 2024 Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Prom Season Just Reached A Whole New Level
By James Haupt
Being a senior in high school is bittersweet. Leaving a school behind after spending four years is a difficult task, but the memories that come with it can last a lifetime.
Possibly the most memorable moment of not just senior year, but high school as a whole, is prom. Every year, schools celebrate their departing students with the senior prom. It’s an amazing event that every teenager looks forward to, and every adult looks back on.
Each school runs its own special prom that honors the seniors. Venues can range from the high school gym to a fancy banquet hall rented out by the school. When it comes to prom, one thing is for sure: the schools put in a lot of effort.
Two schools in particular that have been putting in a great deal of effort are Patchogue and Port Jefferson High Schools. These two schools incorporate their entire communities to host the most spectacular proms for their students.
Patchogue-Medford Senior Prom
Patchogue-Medford High School’s take on prom is very unique compared to other high schools on Long Island. Its senior prom involves engagement from the entire community. However, instead of hosting it at the school or an external venue, Pat-Med brought its prom to the streets.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many students lost an opportunity to have their senior prom. In 2021, Patchogue-Medford seemed to have a new idea that would still allow their students to be celebrated despite the complicated time.
“We had to figure out a way for the kids to enjoy their senior year during COVID,” said Kristina Davidson, Patchogue-Medford Prom Coordinator. “We tried to figure out a way that we could have a prom under the COVID restrictions.”
The high school chose to have prom at Patchogue’s Main Street.
Since then, Patchogue has continued this tradition as it recently wrapped up the fourth senior prom in the heart of the town on June 3. It required great efforts from the school and the surrounding community. Everybody chipped in to have Patchogue Senior Prom outside yet again.
Prior to arriving at Main Street, the prom includes fun features like a red carpet, mocktails, and different vendors at the high school. This portion of the prom also includes fun activities like mini golf, foosball, and caricatures, along with heartwarming notes to the students from the teachers.
“The community likes to see the kids walk the red carpet,” said Emily Rohme, a Pat-Med 2024 Class Advisor. “This also allows a lot of the restaurants in town to be a part of the prom.” The main event took place on the streets as restaurants and businesses in the Patchogue community helped make prom come to life outdoors. The school also made sure to include companies and volunteers from the town of Medford.
“It gives the school a way to connect to Main Street and the businesses,” said Alicia Nicholson, a 2024 Class Advisor at the school. “It means a lot for the school to incorporate the restaurants and local businesses.”
The Patchogue-Medford Senior Prom is a beautiful tradition that may now be continued for years to come.
Port Jefferson Senior Prom
Port Jefferson High School takes a lot of pride in its senior prom that has been a longstanding community-wide tradition since 1958. It involves hours of hard work from the Prom Committee and volunteers around the community. They come together to transform the school with vignettes and theatrical lights based on their theme.
Different local vendors and companies contribute their services to the prom efforts. Whether this be paint and other supplies for construction, or food and beverages for the event, it takes the entire community to host such a special event.
“We encourage community members to be involved and even take on lead roles within committees,” said Paul Braile, President of Port Jefferson Senior Prom Inc. “The massive support received from the community is what makes the Port Jefferson Senior Prom a ‘Must See’ event every year.”
One of the biggest highlights of the Port Jefferson Senior Prom is the red-carpet entrance in which the entire community comes together to watch the seniors walk through. This feature and the rest of the creative design concepts make the students feel special as they attend one of their life milestones.
“The event embodies love of community and tradition,” Braille told The Messenger. “It reinforces the role our school district takes in the community. It is part of what makes up our village, our identity.”
The Port Jefferson Senior Prom will take place on Monday, July 1, at 6:00p.m. More information regarding the prom can be found on their socials and their website: pjhsprom.com.
event embodies love of community and tradition,”
Pictures Credit - Barbara Lassen and Sensational Sounds
Years ago, I stood in the St. James Market admiring garlic scapes. Intrigued by this garlic bulb byproduct, a woman asked me, “What do you do with those?” My response was, “You can make pesto.” She then replied, “What else?” I was stymied, and it was this moment that launched my journey of discovering how to use and prepare garlic scapes.
The green, circular bundles primarily displayed at local farmstands in the early summer are versatile shoots that grow from the hard neck of garlic bulbs. Farmers remove the shoot before the flower bud tip blooms to ensure the growth of a plump, flavorful, below-ground garlic bulb.
The stems of the garlic scape resemble unusually long string beans. Their deep green color is indicative of their herbaceous quality. Their aromatic yet mellow garlic flavor makes them a perfect addition to delicate dishes.
Garlic scapes also work well as vegetables with the proper preparation. Always check the bottom end of the stem, which can be woody and fibrous. If this is the case, cut it off along with the flower bud top. Blanching the green shoots will ensure tenderness. Always follow up with an ice water bath to maintain a green color and prevent carryover cooking. Cut the scapes into bite-size pieces to add to stir-fries.
Grilled garlic scapes are the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and poultry. Toss whole stems in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place directly on the grill. Cook until tender with grill marks. Finish with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. This process produces a sweet roasted garlic flavor. Compound butter flavored with blanched and minced garlic scapes is excellent on grilled bread, fish, and meats. Bring butter to room temperature, mix in prepared garlic scapes, lemon, parsley, and salt (if using unsalted butter), and roll into a log using plastic wrap. Place in fridge until hard.
Garlic scapes are ideal for adding to savory salads like Korean cucumber salad or mixed into chicken salad. If you go raw, mince or thinly slice them. Blanch bite-size pieces.
One of my favorite ways to use raw garlic scapes is to thinly slice them, as thin as Paulie sliced garlic for sauce in Goodfellas. Whisk into scrambled eggs along with spiced feta cheese. No salt or pepper is required. Spiced feta cheese can be found at the Montauk Farmers’ Market on Thursdays and the Huntington Farmers’ Market on Sundays, along with other Greek goodies at the Kalypso Yogurt tent.
Hummus is the perfect dish to infuse with garlic scapes. In your favorite hummus recipe, replace the garlic cloves with scapes. Sautee sliced garlic scapes and pile them in the center of the hummus for enhanced garlic flavor.
Garlic scape pesto is ideal not only for pasta but also as an accompaniment to many dishes. I plan to use it as a topping for clam pizza with sourdough discard dough.
Garlic scape pesto is best prepared in a food processor. A mortar and pestle will not work well to break down the scapes. Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton recently posted on Instagram showing a meat grinder to break down garlic scapes for pesto.
The best part of garlic scape pesto is that it can be frozen for future use. With portion control in mind, I freeze it in an ice cube tray and store the cubes in freezer bags once frozen. If needed to brighten up a soup or stew, just pop a cube or two in at the end of the cooking process. The cube-sized pesto also defrosts quicker than a whole container-sized block.
Saving the best for last, run like a thief in the night to 8 Hands Farm in Cutchogue this Thursday through Sunday, where Fyr & Salt Café will be serving Cucumber and Garlic Scape Soup. I don’t know how they prepare it, but everything served there is essential to your health and taste buds. It doesn’t get any fresher, and the picturesque surroundings are breathtaking.
Fyr & Salt’s Chef Jon Shearman and sous chef Dan Batista picked the last of this summer’s garlic scapes on the farm. Chef Max Mohrmann (Fyr & Salt) provided the inside information that Cucumber Garlic Scape soup was being prepared for this weekend. Take advantage of this opportunity for something extraordinary.
Long Island Locavore was created by Nancy Vallarella. Managing farmer’s markets, creating recipes, and giving food demonstrations all contribute to bringing awareness to all things farmed, fished, foraged, and produced on Long Island! For more recipes, or to ask a question, DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or contact her via email – lilocavore495@gmail.com
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, June 27, 2024
‘What Constitutes a Border Crisis?’ Sanctuary Cities Have Found Out
By Tom Gantert | The Center Square
In March 2021, the Los Angeles Times published a story with a headline that asked, “What constitutes a border crisis?”
The story quoted then House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as saying, “There is no other way to claim it than a Biden border crisis.”
Then the LA Times asked, “But is it a crisis?”
Just a month later in April 2021, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement about his city being a sanctuary city.
“New York City is proud to be a welcoming and inclusive city for immigrants,” de Blasio said at the time.
The debate in the U.S. on migrants took off in April 2022 when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott decided to take a stand against President Joe Biden and what Abbott called an open border policy.
Abbott stated that Biden’s repeal of Title 42 – a pandemic-era policy that allowed the government to quickly expel arriving asylum seekers – had created an “unprecedented surge of illegal aliens” into the country with as many as 18,000 apprehensions a day.
Abbott said that Texas border towns were being overrun by migrants and were overwhelmed. His solution was to bus many of the arriving migrants to sanctuary cities across the U.S.
In August 2022, when the first bus of migrants leaving Texas arrived in New York, Abbott was clear why he had his state paid for the trip. New York had a new mayor by then.
“New York City is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city,” Abbott stated in a news release. “I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.”
And just over a year later, New York Gov. Kathleen Hochul was on CNN in September 2023 pleading with immigrants to “go somewhere else.”
How it has played out was not lost on liberal comedian Bill Maher.
“Could everyone just stop the posturing?” Maher said on a July 2023 podcast with Sharon Osbourne. “Don’t pretend that you love migrants so much and then when we send them to you, you don’t like them. You know? You’re full of [expletive]. And we can see that. Yeah, you liked them when it wasn’t your problem because you’re not a border state. And then when they show up in Chicago and New York, you’re like ‘What the [expletive] are we going to do with these people?’”
New York wasn’t the only destination for Abbott’s buses. He also targeted other sanctuary cities, such as Washington, D.C, Chicago and Denver.
The New York Times published an article in July 2023 that had a headline that asked, “Is Texas’ Busing Responsible for the Migrant Crisis Across Cities?”
On June 14, Abbott’s office stated that it had bused 119,200 migrants to six sanctuary cities since August 2022. That included 45,700 migrants to New York City and 36,900 migrants to Chicago since August 2022. There were also 19,200 migrants bused to Denver since May 2023 and 12,500 migrants bused to Washington D.C. since April 2022.
But Abbott wasn’t alone in busing migrants from the border to locations throughout the country. The Democratic-run city of El Paso also bused migrants north.
Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs stated in September 2023 that Arizona was “overwhelmed” by the flow of migrants into her state. Arizona spent $10.5 million transporting 10,247 migrants out of state as of September 2023.
That’s just part of a bigger surge of migrants into the U.S. Since Biden took office in January 2021, about 12 million illegal border crossings have been documented, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data and a compilation of “gotaway” data obtained from border agents by The Center Square. Gotaways is the official CBP term to describe those who illegally crossed the border between ports of entry but who were not apprehended. CBP does not publicly release “gotaway” data.
The increase in migrants has hammered the budgets of sanctuary cities.
Washington, D.C. created an Office of Migrant Services with an initial start-up cost of $10 million in 2022. In 2025, the city budgeted $39 million for that office.
Chicago has spent $299 million on migrants since 2022, according to a March 2024 report by the Illinois Policy Institute, and that does not include the hundreds of millions of dollars state taxpayers have paid for costs such as migrant health care.
New York City Mayor Adams said in August 2023 the migrant crisis may cost his city $12 billion over three years.
The city of Denver stated in April 2024 that the increase in migrants has cost it $63 million.
The cost to taxpayers in the state of Texas was $13.4 billion in 2023, according to the Federation For American Immigration Reform. Only California had a higher cost at $30.9 billion.
Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation For American Immigration Reform, said Abbott’s busing strategy has worked.
“His busing policy exposed the hypocrisy of many sanctuary jurisdiction politicians who extolled the virtues of mass immigration regardless of its legality, but are not so happy when they actually have to deal with the real impact of large numbers of migrants,” Mehlman said in an email to The Center Square. “So long as it was someone else’s problem, they were happy to virtue signal and criticize others. Once it became their problem, they demanded that Abbott and others stop sending them migrants. For years, these sanctuary proponents claimed that illegal aliens were a benefit to the country, but are now demanding federal assistance to manage to cover their costs, exposing the fact that illegal immigration imposes huge fiscal costs.”
Why Aren’t Our Leaders Arresting Those Inflicting Violence against Jews?
By Hank Russell
Supporters of Hamas terrorists took over a New York City subway car demanding that Zionists leave. None were arrested. https://abc7.com/ post/protesters-chant-raisehand-youre-zionist-aboardnyc/14942616/
Let us repeat that: Hamas terrorist supporters took over a New York City subway car and demanded that individuals supporting Israel leave the car under the threat of violence. And they have not at this point been apprehended.
How can this be happening in the United States of America?
Where is the shame? Where is the outrage? Where are the leaders who will demand that these terrorists and fascists be brought to justice?
Our leaders are a bunch of cowards.
If a group of skinheads took over a New York City subway car under the threat of violence ordered Black people to get out of the car, this would have been the lead story in every newspaper throughout the nation.
If any American took over a subway car and demanded that Muslims leave the car under the threat of violence, the federal Department of Justice and the FBI would have deployed dozens of agents and leave no stone unturned in order to identify, arrest, prosecute, and jail the vermin who would’ve perpetrated such a heinous act.
But when the violence and the threats are perpetrated by leftist Hamas supporters against Jews, we hear nothing.
Mayor Adams rightly criticized the horrible antisemitic event, but where was his demand that these people be arrested and put in jail?
Where are the New York City prosecutors? Are they too busy engaging in lawfare against their political opponents?
There is a reason these thugs feel so emboldened. They saw that few who engaged in the violence and destruction during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 were ever prosecuted.
They saw how pro-Hamas protesters and rioters took over college campuses and public squares, threatened Jews and prevented their entry on campus, yet got away with it without any jail time, or in most cases, even being charged.
It becomes clear to these thugs that, if you are a conservative who engages in a riot at the Capitol, you will be given years in prison, but if you are a rioter supported by the leftists who control our federal government, you are let off scot free.
These thugs know that they have the Biden administration paralyzed because we have allowed so many immigrants from the Middle East to settle in our country, knowing they don’t like us. They are now swing voters in these key election districts. As Hamas leaders have said, they have Israel exactly where they want it.
Likewise, they have America exactly where they want it. We are paralyzed. We are becoming a different country where a Jewish minority is allowed to be persecuted. Of course, it’s not on par with the type of persecution we saw in Germany in the late 1930s. But one can say it’s sure looking very similar to the conditions and atmosphere that existed in Germany in the early 30s. Have we learned any lessons from history?
Every American of goodwill should be demanding that our elected leaders take action to arrest these arrogant thugs who thought they could perpetrate such threats against Jews living and working in New York City. If they don’t respond, adequately, throw them out.
For more from Hank Russell or Steve Levy of Long Island Life and Politics, visit: www.lilifepolitics.com
Kerry J. Maher
Lic. Manager & Director
Maher, Jr. Lic. Director
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
AMAC
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Why The Left Hates It When You Point Out We’re ‘A Republic, Not A Democracy’
By David Harsanyi | AMAC Outside Contributor
For as long as I can remember, the Left has been sneering at anyone who points out that the United States is a republic, not a democracy. They find the notion almost as unsophisticated and fascistic as flying a revolutionary-era flag. Others dismiss the democracy/republic debate as pedantic or a semantic distraction. They shouldn’t.
The other day, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan tried to make Trump fans who repeat this factual contention look like a bunch of dumb, lockstepping authoritarians. To explain the problem, CNN even recruited “democracy” expert Anne Applebaum, who noted that, “America is a democracy. It was founded as a democracy … the word ‘democracy’ and the word ‘republic’ have often been used interchangeably. There isn’t a meaningful difference between them …”
Sure there is.
Ask the contemporary leftists who target virtually every protection we have against mob rule in the name of “democracy” – attacking the Supreme Court, the Electoral College, federalism, the filibuster, the Senate and even the existence of states. They understand the difference, even if just intuitively.
Ask leftists who treat the “popular vote,” not as a wishcasting cope but as means of legitimizing presidential elections. Those who want a few big states ruling the nation via a direct federal democracy are not interested in a “republic” that derives power from the governed but one that strips local control and individual rights from those they dislike.
Blunting the federal government’s power over states and the state’s power over individuals is an indispensable way to ensure a diverse people in a huge nation can govern themselves and live freely. The “save democracy” types who refer to these long-standing federalist institutions as “minority rule” do not view “democracy” and a constitutional republic as interchangeable concepts.
Neither do smaller blue-state governors who sign a national vote compact that not only dilutes their state’s power but circumvents the Constitution. They love a direct democracy. A constitutional republic? Not so much.
When writers at The Atlantic, where Applebaum is a contributor, talk about “The Democrats’ Last Chance to Save Democracy,” they aren’t lamenting Biden’s unprecedented executive abuse but the “democratic deficits in the Senate and the Electoral College” – as if these institutions weren’t specifically instituted to diffuse centralized control. They know the difference.
Democrats who want to “expand” the Supreme Court for failing to follow democratic trends don’t care about the “republic.” After all, many of the high court’s most historic decisions, including Dred Scott and Plessy, cut the legs out from under “democracy.”
Or take the so-called moderate Democrats who want to get rid of the filibuster or use the slimmest of fleeting majorities to shove through massive, generational federal “reforms” without any national consensus – Obamacare or The Deficit Reduction Act [sic]. They’re aware that “reforms” will overturn hundreds of state and local laws. They want local minorities subordinate to the whims and vagaries of national majorities.
Then again, the more “democracy” we have, the more demagoguery thrives. Of course they’re fans.
As it turns out, according to CNN a number of Trump supporters also understand the distinction even if they are unable to articulate it in poliscientific terms.
Then again, if O’Sullivan wants to dunk on them, maybe he should take a civics refresher himself. “There is, of course, a legitimate debate to be had on what form of democracy we have here in the United States – direct democracy, representative democracy, in fact, constitutional republic, which you heard people mentioned in that piece, that is a form of democracy,” the CNN host explained.
There is, “of course,” zero “legitimate debate discussion” to be had over whether we are a “direct democracy.” Not today, nor ever. “Democracy” isn’t even mentioned anywhere in any founding document, much less a direct one. None of the
framers entertained any notions about majoritarianism or federal power that would even loosely comport the ones now embraced by the Left.
People will often tell me that, sure, we might be a republic, but we also have “democratic institutions.” Of course we do. We also have numerous nondemocratic institutions. The Bill of Rights, for instance, is largely concerned with protecting individuals from state and the mob. The insistence that we only use “democracy” is meant to corrode the importance and acceptance of those countermajoritarian rules and traditions.
“[F]or centuries,” insists O’Sullivan, “America has celebrated its democracy,” before playing clips of Ronald Reagan and others praising the notion of “democracy.”
Indeed, the word “democracy” – from “demos,” the people –has been used as a shorthand for self-rule since before Pericles.
Overview - AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens
The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
In the past, we’ve used it to convey respect for a set of liberal ideas about liberties and rights, as well as self-determination. I’m sure I’ve used it in that way, too. No doubt, most Americans also comprehend the notion of “democracy” in the same, vague context.
These days, though, a bunch of illiberal progressives (and others) have taken universal notions that once fell under the umbrella of “democracy” and cynically distorted them to champion a hypermajoritarian outlook. It’s no accident the people who demand you call us a “democracy” also champion the idea that 50.1% of the country should be empowered to lord over the economic, religious, cultural, and political decisions of 49.9%.
It’s the point.
EXTENDED
20
WORD OF THE Week CRESTFALLEN
Origin: late 16th century: originally with reference to a mammal or bird having a fallen or drooping crest.
Source: Oxford Languages
Synonyms: disheartened, dejected, heartbroken
Antonyms: jubilant, cheerful, deligthed
adjective
Pronounced: krest·faa·luhn
Definition: sad and disappointed
Example: “The dog appeared crestfallen when the family left for the day.”
& Pieces
WORD WHEEL
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
July 2, 1776: Continental Congress resolves “these United Colonies are and of right ought to be Free and Independent States”
This Week in History
June 28, 1919: Treaty of Versailles, ending WWI and establishing the League of Nations, is signed in France
June 29, 1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964 passes after an 83-day filibuster in the U.S. Senate
July 3, 1884: Dow Jones publishes its 1st stock index, the Dow Jones Transportation Average L K D A W R Y
June 30, 1938: Superman 1st appears in DC Comics’ Action Comics Series issue #1
June 27, 1942: FBI captures 8 Nazi saboteurs from a sub off Long Island
July 1, 1983: Brandee Younger, American session and touring classical, jazz, soul, and funk harpist, born in Hempstead
By Joe Cuminale
On the morning of Sunday, June 9, a Motorcycle Group known as L.I. A.B.A.T.E. (American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education) held its Annual Veteran’s Appreciation Motorcycle Ride.
L.I. ABATE Veterans’ Ride
This Ride occurs every year as close to Flag Day as possible. This year, there were rain and winds in the forecast, but that doesn’t stop the bikers, especially when it comes to helping our Veterans. Registration for this event was at the ball field across from the North Sea Firehouse. A total of approximately 150 motorcycles registered to go on the ride from North Sea through Sag Harbor and ending in Southampton. Normally, a Gold Star Mother, Joanne Lyles, along with a group of volunteers, usually decorate the LCPL. Jordan Haerter Veteran’s Memorial Bridge leading into Sag Harbor, but the high winds prohibited putting
up the service branch flags. Joanne is the mother of Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, who was killed in action in Iraq on April 22, 2008.
But the Marines came to the rescue. Members of the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club and Rolling Thunder Chapter, NY6, picked up our nation’s flag and the Flag of the United States Marine Corps and formed a flag line (in the now heavy rain), for the approximately eighty bikers who chose to make the ride in the rain and stood at attention and saluted as the riders passed over the bridge. The ride continued safely to the Southampton Elks Lodge for a barbecue and an excellent Flag Day history lesson about the birth of our flag.
Thank You to the Elks Members for their hospitality and to the Southampton Fire Department for having a giant American flag hanging for the riders to pass under.
For more information on L.I. ABATE, contact organization
President Chris Beckhans at the L.I. ABATE Hotline 1-888-LIABATE, or at P.O. Box 22, Yaphank, New York, 11980.
They can be reached via email at longislandabate@aol.com. All the funds raised -close to $7000.00which gets matched four times over - stays right here on Long Island and gets distributed among L.I. Veterans Groups in the Fall. Ride safe, ladies and gentlemen!
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Photos
Joe Cuminale
Around Town
Congratulations Little Graduates of Parent Child+
By PJ Balzer
This past Saturday afternoon the cafeteria at Clayton Huey Elementary School in Center Moriches was nearly unrecognizable. It was full of balloon arches and balloon animals, miniature graduation caps, and extremely proud extended families. The Parent Child+ early literacy program concluded the 2023-24 school year by graduating eighteen little students who, alongside their families, worked hard and overcame hurdles for this accomplishment. As mentioned earlier this year, The Parent Child+ program is a home-based, early literacy program that focuses on some of the district’s most overlooked, underserved, and possibly vulnerable children from eighteen months to four years old. The program sends a home visitor into a family’s home with a book and a toy to engage not only the child, but the parent as well. The goal is to model and cultivate an environment of healthy learning in the home and, more specifically, between the child and their parent or caretaker. Every year is a little different for this program, as it is for any program that works with and cares for individual people. This school year undoubtedly brought some challenges for the program’s coordinator, Catherine Gutierrez. Yet she realizes that becoming an effective, compassionate servant-leader demands that we are able to navigate all of it with the child’s benefit and development always first in mind. Watching the accomplishments and many milestones in the children’s and parents lives as they are engaged through books, toys, working on reading, writing, speech, and fine motor skills outweighs any challenges that the staff may face.
“We’ve had some very distinct accomplishments and expansions to the program this year. It’s been a blessing to watch and be a small part of our neighbors seen and unseen victories,” said Gutierrez.
This year, different than others, the Parent Child+ program held beginner English classes for parents in the program who are learning a second language. Gutierrez, a native Spanish speaker and dual citizen of both the United States and Colombia, personally taught these classes. Some of her students learned basic English phrases and conversation pieces while others were able to improve on what they already know. This will ultimately help them in teaching their children and in everyday life situations.
Another distinctive to this school year was strengthening the relationship between the program and the Unkechaug Indian Reservation in Mastic. Gutierrez began the
year by reaching out to the Reservation’s new liaison Amy Wallace. The two sat down and opened a clear line of communication while also brainstorming about how they can engage and help the children of the Reservation. The result was extremely productive, as six children and their families enrolled in the program and received a visitor each week, Gutierrez being one of them.
“The Unkechaug Nation is always putting their children first, we are thankful for the opportunity to come along their side as they carve a better future for their next generation,” said Gutierrez.
Last and certainly not least, the program was able to further offer practical help to a few of the mothers who were struggling behind closed doors. The program stepped up to help a few new Mother’s with diapers, wipes, and other baby items for one young lady whose child is currently in the program while also expecting. Further, two children were screened for possibly being on the autism spectrum. Parent Child+ believes in early intervention and going the extra mile to get these children the help that they need. In this case, both children will be attending a special needs preschool come September. Another great accomplishment for the community as we’re able to connect parents with the resources for their specific need.
“We’d like to thank our founders, our staff, volunteers, and, of course, the Center Moriches School District. Also, Keith and Casey Caputo of Helping Makes U Happy, who supplied each little graduate with their own backpack full of learning and play tools. It truly does take a caring village to help educate these precious children that we feel responsible for,” concluded Gutierrez.
Sound Beach Fire Department In Memory of John Drews Jr.
Sponsored by:
Legislator Chad Lennon, Senator Anthony Palumbo, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Councilwom an Jane Bonner
Wednesday, July 3rd
1:00pm-7:00pm 152 Sound Beach Blvd.- Meeting Room
Please
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Matt Seelinger’s Contract Purchased by Detroit Tigers
The Long Island Ducks announced that right-handed pitcher Matt Seelinger’s contract has been purchased by the Detroit Tigers organization. He will report to the team’s Double-A affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves, in Pennsylvania.
“Matt has been lights out in the bullpen for us all season,” said Ducks Manager Lew Ford. “He is incredibly deserving of this opportunity, and we wish him the best of luck with the Tigers organization.”
Seelinger pitched in a team-high 21 games for the Flock and recorded an Atlantic League leading 11 saves. He conceded just two runs (one earned) over 20.2 innings of work, good for a minuscule 0.43 ERA. He did not allow an earned run until his final appearance with the team on June 23, and he turned in 17 consecutive scoreless outings from May 4 to June 21. The 29-year-old gave up just nine hits and eight walks while striking out 31 batters and holding opponents to a team-best .129 batting average against.
The Westbury native previously pitched in the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, reaching as high as Triple-A. In 190 games (two starts) during that time, he compiled a 12-12 record with a 3.57 ERA, 18 saves and 351 strikeouts to 125 walks over 257.1 innings of work. The righty was originally selected by the Pirates in the 28th round of the 2017
Seelinger becomes the seventh member of the 2024 Ducks to have his contract purchased by a Major League or foreign organization. He joins lefthanded pitcher Emilio Marquez (Pericos de Puebla, June 4), infielder Rixon Wingrove (Minnesota Twins,
May 24), and right-handed pitchers Tyler Zuber (Tampa Bay Rays, May 13), Chris Ellis (Arizona Diamondbacks, April 25), Dan Straily (Chicago Cubs, April 25) and Raynel Espinal (Rieleros de Aguascalientes, April 15). Since beginning play in 2000, the Ducks have had 30 players reach the Major League level after joining Long Island, and 114 have had their contract purchased. CLICK HERE to see the full list of Ducks players who have gone on to MLB.
The Ducks are in their 24th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 708 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com
Nassau Hosts Cricket World Cup USA Makes Cricket History in More Ways Than One
By James Haupt
A new sport came to Long Island as Nassau County hosted the 2024 Cricket World Cup. This is the first time the games were hosted in the United States, bringing in an entire new audience to the tournament.
In May 2024, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled its new stadium built on the grounds of Eisenhower Park. World famous athletes were present as well, including Usain Bolt, who happens to be the director of the international games. The venue now stands as the largest cricket stadium in the U.S.
The Nassau games are now completed and it was a huge success. The county hosted eight games from June 3 to June 12. Fans came to support the rising sport and watch their favorite teams compete.
The field was first put to use through a warmup match on Saturday, June 1, between India and Bangladesh. Then, the first official game came between 2014 Champion Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3, resulting in a win for the latter.
Game two took place on June 5 and saw India defeat Ireland in a competitive matchup. Ireland played its second match in a row at the Nassau stadium on June 7, after taking another loss, this time to Canada.
This started a span of six straight days with games at the stadium. On June 8, it hosted Netherlands and South Africa, with South Africa earning their second victory.
June 9, saw the most anticipated matchup between India and Pakistan, two powerhouses in
the sport. India has appeared in every Cricket World Cup and has appeared in the finals four times, winning twice. Pakistan has appeared three times in the finals, with one World Cup win to show for it.
It was revolutionary to see such a highly anticipated matchup take place on American soil, let alone Long Island. The match resulted in India’s second win of the tournament.
The next game on June 10, was between South Africa and Bangladesh, resulting in yet another South African victory. June 11 then saw Pakistan earn their first win of the tournament against Canada.
The final game at the stadium was on June 12, as the hosting country finally made an appearance. USA came into this tournament with low expectations, but made major headlines with a surprising run.
The U.S. opened the tournament with a win over Canada as they were heading into a hopeless matchup against Pakistan. Somehow, against all odds, the United States completed what some have considered the biggest upset in cricket history.
With American ticket sales and viewership rising, the U.S. cricket team was heading into an even more difficult matchup with India. This time the match would be in Nassau County, making for an exciting day for Long Island. India ended up defeating the host country, making them 3-0 in the group stage.
Despite this being the field’s last game, the tournament continued to bring in more viewership
and support. It left a legacy on Long Island that will have a lasting impact. The 2024 Cricket World Cup will come to an end this Saturday, June 29.
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draft, becoming the first player in Farmingdale State College history to be drafted by an MLB team.
Photo
Yogendra Singh
Suffolk County Recognizes 2024 Healthcare Heroes
By Matt Meduri
In March 2021, the Suffolk County Legislature approved a resolution introduced by Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) to create an annual initiative to recognize a “healthcare hero” from each legislative district in June. The initiative coincides with June’s designation as Healthcare Heroes Month in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
At their Tuesday general meeting, the Legislature recognized the eighteen honorees from across the county.
Smithtown Honorees
Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) recognized Mary Jane Finnegan, RN, as the Twelfth District’s honoree. Finnegan, a lifelong resident of Ronkonkoma, sought to pursue nursing since her youth, mainly for the “diversity, flexibility, and vast opportunities for career growth.”
After graduating from Villanova University with her BSN, Finnegan graduated from Adelphi University with her Master’s Degree in Nursing. She first worked at Stony Brook University Hospital as a float nurse on the medical-surgical floor. She then went on to pediatrics and was “instrumental” in opening Stony Brook’s burn unit. In 1988, she came to St. Catherine’s of Siena Hospital in Smithtown, where she would work as in the emergency room, as a supervisor, a nurse educator, director of the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health, assistant Vice President of Clinical Services, and finally, as a Chief Nursing Officer, a position she has held since 2015.
“Mary Jane has dedicated her entire life to nursing. She is the epitome of a nurse and is one of the most kind, caring, compassionate, and composed people you will ever meet,” said Kennedy. “Mary Jane has made an impact on thousands of people’s lives that she has touched over the years. It is comparable to the ripple effect that occurs when a rock is thrown in the ocean. It is durable and never-ending. Thank you for your service.”
Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) recognized the St. James Ambulance Corp. alongside Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), as the department covers territory between the Thirteenth and Fifth Districts, primarily serving St. James and the Village of Head of the Harbor. Formed in 1956, the department went into operation with an ambulance that cost $1700. Today, they have three ambulances and eighteen volunteers.
“These people wake up in the middle of the night, no matter what, 365 days a year, whether it’s raining or snowing,” said Trotta. “They don’t ask why, they don’t get paid, they all have jobs, but they do it. So, on behalf of myself and Legislative Englebright, I congratulate you.”
Brookhaven Honorees
The First District ecompasses the North Fork and Shelter Island, as well as parts of eastern Brookhaven including parts of Calverton, Manorville, and Wading River.
Legislator Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead) recognized Kathleen Pokorny, a professional in the medical and emergency services field. She currently serves as a volunteer paramedic at the Sound Beach Fire Department, Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance, the Rocky Point Fire Department, and the Terryville Fire Department.
“Kimberly Pokorny’s career is a testament to her unwavering dedication,” said Stark. “She’s been responsible for inspecting and maintaining equipment, transportation, and vehicles, ensuring a higher standard of living for emergency medical services. Her extensive experience coupled with her educational background and volunteer work makes her a respected and valuable asset to any organization she’s part of.”
Legislator Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches) honored Anthony Minelli, PA, of Shirley Community Ambulance. Minelli is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in emergency medicine and working full-time, along with exceeding thirty-five hours of volunteering weekly. After completing his critical care EMT course, Minelli became the lead narcotic agent, CPR instructor, and secretary of Shirley Community Ambulance.
“Anthony is an outstanding leader who is selflessly devoted to his work in the medical field, his volunteer commitment to the ambulance company, and his dedication to his community,” said Mazzarella. “His tireless devotion to the medical field is a testament to his status as a healthcare hero for the Third Legislative District.”
Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) nominated Peter Montague as the Healthcare Hero for the Fourth Legislative District. Montague received a call from a frantic husband whose
wife was in active labor and unable to reach a midwife or hospital for assistance. Montague gave step-by-step instructions to the husband to help his wife through labor. A healthy baby girl was born at 5:34a.m.
Montague, a resident of Selden, is a member of the Suffolk County AME and a member of the Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Distribution. He volunteers at the Farmingville Fire Department.
“He is recognized for his exemplary character and for consistently demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the community and public service. Thank you very much for your service,” said Caracappa.
Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) honored Keri Moschetto, LPN, a resident of the Fifth Legislative District who works at the Smithtown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care. Moschetto was recognized for her valiance in responding to a code-red signal at her workplace, She ran to a fire on the first floor, into the smoke, and pulled a patient out to safety. She regularly maintains care plans, monitors labs, participates in family meetings, acts as a liaison between doctors, families, and patients, and coordinates doctor visits.
“Keri’s courage, dedication, and professionalism placing herself in harm’s way to protect the patient’s life is inspirational,” said Englebright. He also quoted the words of Dr. John Folan with respect to Moschetto’s work ethic: “in all my career as a physician, providing care to innumerable members of our community, there are few if any nurses who compare to Carrie’s skill, work ethic, and most importantly, her compassion. She uniquely demonstrates medical knowledge much beyond her training.”
Legislator Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point) nominated Dr. Anthony Szema, a clinical professor of medicine specializing in pulmonary critical care, allergy, immunology, and occupational medicine at Hofstra of Northwell Health. Szema is known for coining the term “Iraq-Afghanistan War Lung Injury. His testimony before the U.S. Senate contributed to the passage of the PACT Act.
Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) nominated Dr. Carl S. Goodman, Chief of the Port Jefferson Volunteer Ambulance Company. He joined as a volunteer in 2000 and has a strong educational background from George Washington University.
“He has played a key role in developing various EMS programs including mobile integrated health, rapid sequence intubation, high performance CPR, and rescue medic programs,” said Thorne.
Islip Honorees
Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) nominated Dr. Travis Bench, an interventional cardiologist from Sayville. Bench works at Stony Brook-Southampton Hospital and practices in Southampton and Center Moriches.
“He’s a hard worker and a committed doctor. Dr. Bench works long hours and is often working on call to provide immediate care for cardiac emergencies,” said Piccirillo. “Aside from seeing patients at his office, he performs catheterizations and studies the link between Lyme disease and cardiac complications.”
Legislator Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood) nominated Dr. Edison R. Blanco, a family medicine specialist from Bay Shore. He was recognized for his “tireless” work every day during the COVID-19 Pandemic, “risking his own health to provide critical care.”
“Dr. Blanco is renowned for his ability to create educational connections with all his patients, consistently growing the vocal sound of his care,” said Gonzalez. “His dedication to frontline healthcare. Dr. Blanco is somebody who just continues to work tirelessly without looking for any particular accolades.”
Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) was absent, although her honorees were the parents of Heather McNamara, a cancer survivor who underwent a twenty-three-hour surgery to remove a large tumor. Her surgery made history when, at seven years old, she was the first patient to have several organs removed and replaced to remove a tumor. Heather volunteered with the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips and Islip Terrace Fire Department. She also assisted the New York Blood Center. Heather sadly passed away at the age of twenty-two after an infection led to multiple organ failure.
Tina and Joe McNamara received a standing ovation from a packed house in the Riverhead
(Left to right) Peter Montague, Jimmy Mack, Keri Moschetto, Dr. Carl Goodman, Anthony Minelli, Dr. Edison Blanco, Dr. Tia Knight-Forbes, Mary Jane Finnegan, Kacey Farber.
